Wherever one may be on the theological spectrum, there is no denying the importance of John Calvin or his best known work, Institutes of the Christian Religion.
This is a book that I have planned to read for a long time but only recently finished. I’m not sure what I expected, but it was not what I got.
I supposed I expected more of a systematic theology that would set the foundation for Reformed theology. Certainly that tradition does find much of it inspiration here.
But this is definitely not a systematic theology. It is more of a polemical theology. Much of what Calvin does is in response to Roman Catholics and to a lesser extent, Anabaptists.
Calvin seeks to present not just what he sees as true but also what he sees as false. While Calvin is known for “Sola Scriptura,” he also heavily relies on Augustine for his arguments.
Whether or not one identifies as a Calvinist or a Reformed Christian, the Institutes of the Christian Religion is an important book for understanding the development of the Protestant church.
